HomeMy WebLinkAboutRifle Fire Protection Dirstrict- Private Water Supply SystemsRIFLE
COLORADO
1850 Railroad Avenue
Rifle, Colorado
81650
Phone: 970-625-1243
Fax: 970-625-2963
www.riflefiredept.org
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Private Water Supply Systems
The adopted fire code for both the city of Rifle and Garfield County is the 2009 International Fire Code
(IFC)
1. All buildings require an adequate supply of water designated for fire fighting (IFC 507.1).
This water supply should be in place prior to construction and meet all other requirements of
IFC ( 507.5 & Appendix C —fire hydrants, Appendix D- fire apparatus access roads,...)
2. A Municipal water source is the most reliable and effective water source.
3. Fire Flow Requirements are based off Appendix B in the IFC- The minimum requirement for
a building of type IIIB construction and 14,000 square feet is 2,500 gpm for 2 hours =
300,000 gallons at 20 psi. This can be reduced by meeting the requirements of IFC B105.2.
4. IFC B 103.3 does allow the fire code official to utilize NFPA 1142 or the International Wild
land Interface Code in areas in which adequate and reliable water supply systems do not
exist.
5. The following two options have been allowed by the fire district in the past and can be
considered when all of the above is_impracticalCAN ONLY BE
ALLLOWED WITH WRITTEN APPROVAL BY THE FIRE PREVENTION DIVISION
AND MAY AFFECT THE FIRE DISTRICT'S ABILITY TO ADEQUATELY PROTECT
THE PROPERTY INVOVLED AND POSSIBLY INSURANCE RATES.
• The fire district has allowed in the past a minimum of 30,000 gallons of fire
protection water for subdivisions of 3 or more homes .AII pipes, pumps,
cisterns, ponds, etc. must meet nationally recognized standards and be
maintained. System is to be in place prior to issuance of building permits. It
should be noted that this is the minimum amount of water necessary to meet
the Districts requirements and our ability to fight a fully involved structure fire
in these areas is limited.
• If it is impractical for any of the above to be implemented, a requirement of fire
sprinkler systems to be installed on all buildings can be implemented. This may also
required an approved fire alarm system.
6. Design of the water supply system should take into account future growth. Building size,
construction type and how close buildings are to one another could require an increase in
water supply or restrict what can be built in the future. In addition, any building that requires
a fire sprinkler system could increase the required storage and/or the need for code complaint
fire pumps.
7. A private water supply system has to be designed to meet all applicable codes. A stamped
engineered set of plans for the design of the private water system must be submitted and
reviewed by the fire prevention division.
8. A functional test of the system is required by the fire district prior to occupancy with the
design engineer, installer and owner /manager present.
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RIFLE
COLORADO
1850 Railroad Avenue
Rifle, Colorado
81650
Phone: 970-625-1243
Fax: 970-625-2963
www,riflefiredept.org
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9. Private water supply systems shall be periodically inspected, tested and maintained according
to NFPA 25 (IFC 507.5). Documentation of the responsible party, the schedule and client
training shall be provided by the designer of the water supply system to the fire district.
10. Maintenance records shall be maintained by the owner for three years.
11. The fire district will schedule an annual functional test of the system with the owner or his
designee.
12. All water storage tanks shall have freeze protection.
RIFLE
COLORADO
1850 Railroad Avenue
Rifle, Colorado
81650
Phone: 970-625-1243
Fax: 970-625-2963
www.riflefiredept.org
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Standards for Private Fire Protection Water Supply Systems
• IFC 2009
• Supply/Dry hydrants —NFPA 1142
• Tanks- NFPA 22
• Underground Service Mains — NFPA 24
• Inspection, testing and Maintenance- -NFPA 25
o Summary of water storage tanks
o Owner Responsibilities-
• NFPA 20 Installation of Stationary Pumps for Fire Protection
• NFPA 13 — Underground piping/ installation & testing
• Underground contractors for fire sprinkler piping shall be licensed by the Colorado Division
of Fire Safety.
• Dry hydrant connection shall be 6" NH female.